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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of simulation models and previous surgical experience on subjective and objective stress levels of students performing their 1st elective surgery within the veterinary curriculum.
SAMPLE
141 third-year veterinary students
METHODS
Using a pre–post experimental design, salivary alpha-amylase, and cortisol were evaluated as markers of physiologic stress response before students’ first elective surgery. Student self-reported State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores and quantitative measures of experience were correlated to biomarker results.
RESULTS
No association was found for change in salivary biomarkers of stress, alpha-amylase, and cortisol, between baseline and presurgical samples accounting for gender, age, type of elective surgery performed, previous surgical experience, or simulation model use. Salivary cortisol levels were markedly elevated falling between the 66th and 99th percentile compared to an age and gender-matched population. Salivary alpha-amylase levels were also 2 to 3 times higher than those recorded by other health professionals. Veterinary student STAI scores were high falling between the 65th and 73rd percentile compared to working adults in the general population.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Veterinary students’ salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and STAI scores fell into the upper 2/3rds of the general population, demonstrating a high level of stress. Simulation models and previous surgical experience were not associated with decreased stress. Further evaluation of the implementation of high-fidelity simulation models and the role of stress on performance is indicated.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and their inhibitors tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) gene expression and secretion during equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) tenocyte and macrophage (undifferentiated, proinflammatory, and regulatory) co-culture.
SAMPLE
Third passage DDF tenocytes and donor-matched macrophages differentiated from peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes from 5 healthy horses ages 9–11 years, euthanized for reasons unrelated to musculoskeletal conditions.
METHODS
Passage 3 DDT tenocyte aggregate cultures were co-cultured with undifferentiated (control), proinflammatory (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; GM-CSF pretreated and lipopolysaccharide + interferon gamma-primed; LPS+IFN-γ) or regulatory (interleukin-4 and interleukin-10-primed; IL-4 + IL-10) macrophages in direct and transwell co-cultures for 72 hours. MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -13, and TIMP -1, -2 mRNA were measured via real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR). Co-culture media MMP -3, -9, and TIMP -1, -2 concentrations were quantified via ELISA.
RESULTS
Direct co-culture of DDF tenocytes with proinflammatory macrophages for 72 hours increased MMP-1, -3, and -13 mRNA levels whereas, MMP-9 mRNA levels decreased. Direct and transwell co-culture with proinflammatory and regulatory macrophages resulted in increased MMP-3 and decreased MMP-9 media concentrations. While direct co-culture with regulatory macrophages significantly increased TIMP-1 mRNA, overall, TIMP mRNA and culture media concentrations were largely unchanged.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Cell-to-cell contact between DDF tenocytes and macrophages is not essential to induce MMP gene expression and secretion. Co-culture systems offer a viable in vitro platform to screen and evaluate immunomodulatory properties of therapies aimed at improving equine intrasynovial tendon healing.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
(1) Determine if a relationship exists between ionized calcium (iCa) and pancreatic lipase (cPLI) concentration in dogs, and (2) assess for correlation between resolving hypercalcemia and cPLI concentrations in dogs after treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).
SAMPLES
Phase I, 44 residual serum samples (collected April 2023) from client-owned dogs with a clinical indication for cPLI quantification. Phase II, 24 residual serum samples (collected August 2022 through February 2023) from client-owned dogs with PHPT pre- and postcorrection of hypercalcemia.
METHODS
Serum cPLI and iCa concentrations were measured via the Spec cPL assay and a spectrophotometric method respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to investigate if there was a correlation between serum calcium and cPLI concentrations. A paired t-test was used to investigate the effect of the resolution of hypercalcemia on serum cPLI concentrations.
RESULTS
Phase I, serum cPLI concentrations were negatively correlated with serum iCa concentrations (r = −.429, 95% CI [−.64, −.14], P = .005) in dogs with a clinical indication for cPLI quantification. Phase II, median serum cPLI concentrations were higher before (median: 228.5 μg/L, IQR: 351.3 μg/L) than after (median: 141.0 μg/L, interquartile ranges (IQR): 279.5 μg/L) management of hypercalcemia (PHPT model). However, the decrease in cPLI concentration was not statistically significant (P = .70).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Calcium depletion may result in an inverse relationship between serum cPLI and iCa concentrations in dogs with a clinical indication for cPLI quantification. Hypercalcemia may be associated with an above reference interval cPLI concentration in some dogs.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of isometric myography in pet dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) to determine its use in quantifying endothelial dysfunction.
ANIMALS
9 dogs euthanized for medical reasons.
METHODS
Femoral, renal, and mesenteric arteries were collected postmortem and stored in physiological saline solution at 4 °C for myography. Mitral valves were scored for myxomatous degeneration (grades 1 to 4). Sections of arteries were mounted in wells, immersed in physiological saline solution perfused with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 at 37 °C, and stretched to an internal circumference (IC) that generated the maximal difference between active and passive wall tension (IC1). Normalization factors were calculated by dividing the IC1 by the IC at which the passive wall tension was 100 mm Hg (IC100). Vasoconstriction to phenylephrine and vasodilation to acetylcholine (endothelial dependent) and sodium nitroprusside (endothelial independent) were assessed by cumulative dose-response curves.
RESULTS
Median MMVD grade was 3. Mean values of normalization factors were 1.00 ± 0.14 (renal, n = 15), 1.00 ± 0.10 (femoral, 8), and 1.05 ± 0.12 (mesenteric, 6). Responses to phenylephrine were similar between dogs (P = .14). Reduced responses to acetylcholine compared with sodium nitroprusside were identified in 15 arteries, suggesting endothelial dysfunction.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Isometric myography of arteries from pet dogs is feasible and can identify loss of endothelial-dependent relaxation in dogs with MMVD postmortem. Its use in further research can lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology mechanisms of this disease.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a global disease and an improved diagnostic approach to this orthopedic condition is needed, with an emphasis on inexpensive and minimally invasive techniques. This research aimed to determine the differentiating potential of selected biochemical markers in serum between healthy dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia in a breed-specific study that involved the Tornjak dog population.
ANIMALS
99 Tornjak dogs radiographically categorized (Federation Cynologique Internationale procedure and scoring scheme) between December 2019 and April 2021, as having no sign of hip dysplasia or near normal hip joints (nondysplastic group; n = 51) vs mild, moderate, or severe hip dysplasia (dysplastic group; 48).
METHODS
Serum concentrations and enzyme activity of the biochemical markers hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen II C-terminal propeptide (PIICP), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were compared among adult dogs with or without radiographic hip dysplasia. Statistical tests used to examine the differentiating potential of biochemical markers in Tornjak dog groups were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test, logistic regression, and receiving operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.
RESULTS
Tornjak dogs with radiographic CHD had significantly lower serum concentrations of HA and higher concentrations of PIICP and MMP9 activity compared to dogs with radiographically normal hips (P < .05). Selected biochemical markers could distinguish dogs with radiographic CHD from those without CHD with high sensitivity and specificity.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
These data suggest that the diagnostic technique of measuring serum concentrations of HA, PIICP, and MMP9 activity has a selective ability to distinguish dogs with dysplastic from dogs with normal hips.
